Apparatus and method for controlled penetration of compressed fluid cylinders

ABSTRACT

A drill assembly for penetrating a wall of a container is provided. The container is supported by a platform within a recovery vessel. The drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to penetrate the container wall, while the motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal bore. Multiple seals may be formed between the first housing and the container. The container and the adapter may be integrally connected. Multiple drilling assemblies may be used and a drilling assembly may be configured to permit the introduction therethrough of a flushing fluid into the container.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/245,912,filed May 24, 1994, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 08/070,709 filed May 28, 1993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,157, issued onJun. 27, 1995, entitled, "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLEDPENETRATION OF COMPRESSED FLUID CYLINDERS". U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,914,issued on Dec. 12, 1995,

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of managing compressed fluidcylinders and particularly compressed fluid cylinders in a deterioratedcondition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compressed fluid cylinders may become unserviceable for several reasonssuch as valve assembly failure, damage or deterioration to the cylinderbody, and/or damage or deterioration of pipe/hose connections associatedwith the valve assembly. The hazardous nature of compressed gascylinders and other fluid containers in a deteriorated condition hasbecome the focus of increasing attention. The result has been strictgovernment regulations which limit the uncontrolled discharge of suchcontainer contents to the environment.

Examples of cylinder rapture vessels or containment vessels used forsafely removing hazardous contents from deteriorated compressed fluidcylinders are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,690,180 titled "Cylinder RuptureVessel"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,333 titled "Cylinder Rupture Vessel withClamps for Immobilizing a Container Within the Vessel", and U.S. Pat.No. 5,186,219 titled "Cylinder Rupture Vessel". These patents disclosecontainment vessels and their associated systems to secure a fluidcylinder or similar container within the containment vessel and topuncture or pierce the cylinder in a safe, controlled manner. Thecylinder rupture vessels and their associated systems allow forenvironmentally acceptable removal of the contents from the cylinder andfurther processing of the contents as desired. The above-listed patentsare incorporated by reference for all purposes within this application.

Deteriorated fluid cylinders may be ruptured in a safe, controlledmanner by using a puncture spike or punch as shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,690,180. Hydraulic puncture assemblies, as shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,944,333, have also been used to penetrate fluid cylinders to allow thecontrolled release of the contents of the cylinders within a containmentvessel. In addition, various types of projectiles have previously beenfired at fluid cylinders positioned within a containment vessel torapture the walls of the fluid cylinder to release the contents from thefluid cylinder into the interior of the containment vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a drill assembly is providedfor penetrating a wall of a container. The container is supported by aplatform within a recovery vessel. The drill assembly allows removal ofa fluid from the container. The drill assembly has a housing having aninterior. A portion of the drill assembly defines a longitudinal bore. Ashaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal bore. The shaft hasone end engaged to a drill bit for penetrating the wall of thecontainer. The other end of the shaft is engaged to a rotor for rotatingthe shaft. A seal assembly forms a fluid barrier between thelongitudinal bore and the interior of the housing.

The drill assembly may be partly or completely enclosed within therecovery vessel. If only partly enclosed, the drill assembly may alsohave a tube for lining an opening into the recovery vessel. This tubewill preferably define a portion of the longitudinal bore.

In one embodiment, the drill assembly also has a coupling assembly forcoupling the housing to the tube which lines the opening into therecovery vessel. According to a feature of this embodiment, the interiorof the housing may be sealed from its exterior. This may be accomplishedby integrally connecting the housing and the coupling assembly, forexample by welding, to seal the interior of the housing from itsexterior. Alternatively, a plurality of O-rings may be disposed betweenthe housing and the coupling assembly.

According to a feature of the present invention, the housing may have anend portion which abuts the wall of the container to form a fluid sealtherewith. Also, more than one fluid seals may be formed at the endportion of the housing. In one embodiment, one fluid seal is formed bydisposing a washer between the housing and the wall of the container. Asecond fluid seal is formed by disposing at least one O-ring between thehousing and the wall of the container. In another embodiment, aplurality of raised annular surfaces may be provided on the end portionof the housing which engage the washer to form the second fluid seal.

In yet another embodiment, more than one drill assembly is employed. Oneor both of the drill assemblies may be as described above. If more thanone drill assembly is used in the present invention, the drillassemblies may positioned in any number of configurations. According toone possible configuration, one drill assembly would be positioned abovethe container and one drill assembly would be positioned below thecontainer.

According to a feature of an embodiment having multiple drillassemblies, at least one of the drill assemblies could be used as aconduit for introducing a flushing fluid into the container. This drillassembly may be positioned above the container. Another drill assemblycould be used for removing the fluid from the container. This drillassembly may be positioned below the container.

A hold-down assembly may be provided within the recovery vessel forurging the container and the platform assembly toward a drill assembly.According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one drillassembly may be coupled to the hold-down assembly.

A first technical advantage of the present invention is that it providesthree levels of containment for protecting the environment from exposureto a fluid removed from a container.

A second technical advantage of the present invention is that itincreases the efficiency of the process by which a hazardous fluid isremoved from a container.

A third technical advantage of the present invention is that it reducesthe risk of ignition of a fluid or a container containing the fluidduring removal of the fluid from the container.

A fourth technical advantage of the present invention is that it reducesthe risk of a fluid reacting violently with surfaces exposed to thefluid during its removal from a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fluid recovery system for recovering fluid from a sealedcontainer;

FIG. 2 is a view of the fluid recovery system of FIG. 1 along lines 2--2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a drill assembly for penetrating thecontainer of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is an exploded isometric view of the drill assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a drill assembly for penetrating thecontainer of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is an exploded isometric view of the drill assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a drill assembly for penetrating thecontainer of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5A is an exploded isometric view of the drill assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a fluid recovery system for recovering fluid from a sealedcontainer;

FIG. 7 is a view of the fluid recovery system of FIG. 6 along lines 2--2of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of a fluid recovery system for recovering fluidfrom a sealed container;

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of a portion of a drill assembly;

FIG. 9A is a view of the drill assembly of FIG. 9 along lines 2--2 ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a portion of a drill assembly;

FIG. 10A is a view of the drill assembly of FIG. 10 along lines 2--2 ofFIG. 10; and

FIG. 11 is a drill assembly according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages arebest understood by referring to FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings, likenumerals being used for like and corresponding pans of the variousdrawings.

As an overview of the present invention, a fluid recovery system 10provides a sealed recovery vessel 12 for receiving container 14. Thecontents of container 14, typically hazardous waste fluids, can then beremoved without polluting the environment by using recovery system 10.The pressures under which the fluid contents may be stored in container14 can range up to approximately 6000 psi. Additionally, the fluidwithin container 14 may be in a gas phase, a liquid phase or acombination of both a gas and liquid phase. Typically, container 14 hasbeen sealed shut either purposely or inadvertently, and cannot beemptied by normal procedures. After the fluid is removed from container14, the fluid and container can be disposed of safely. Recovery system10 allows for removal of any hazardous fluids within container 14 from aremote location to ensure the safety of personnel controlling the fluidrecovery process.

More specifically, FIG. 1 is a side view of fluid recovery system 10.Fluid recovery system 10 is typically housed in a sealed trailer 16 toallow movement of fluid recovery system 10 to the location of anydeteriorated containers. Thus, safety is increased by avoidingtransportation of the deteriorated containers, as well as by providing athird level containment. (The trailer being the third level, withrecovery vessel 12 being the second level, and drill assembly 44 beingthe first level, as is discussed below.)

Fluid recovery system 10 includes a recovery vessel 12 which has asealable end opening 18 through which container 14 may be inserted. Endclosure 19 is then secured to end opening 18 to seal the interior 21 ofrecovery vessel 12 from the environment. A fluid tight barrier ispreferably maintained between the interior 21 and the exterior ofrecovery vessel 12.

Recovery vessel 12 also includes two access openings 20 and 22. Accessopenings 20 and 22 provide additional entries into interior 21 ofrecovery vessel 12. Closures 24 and 26 seal interior 21 from theenvironment when secured to access openings 20 and 22 respectively.Although recovery vessel 12 and container 14 are shown as cylinders,various sizes, shapes and configurations of recovery vessels andcontainers may be satisfactorily used with the present invention.

Container 14 is placed on platform assembly 28 disposed within recoveryvessel 12. Platform assembly 28 includes a platform 30 which issupported by four springs 32. Springs 32 are respectively attached tothe interior of recovery vessel 12 by four support members 34. Springs32 of platform assembly 28 allow platform 30 to move in a planeperpendicular to that of platform 30.

Fluid recovery system 10 also includes a hold-down assembly 36 having ahydraulic cylinder 38, hydraulic piston rod 40, hold-down clamp 41 and asupport member (not shown) for securing hydraulic cylinder 38 to theinterior portion of wall 43 of recovery vessel 12.

An opening 42 extends through wall 43 of recovery vessel 12 and providesdrill assembly 44 with access to container 14. Drill assembly 44 isdiscussed in greater detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 3-10. Drillassembly 44 is driven by a drill motor 46 which is secured to motorsupport 48.

Drill assembly 44 and drill motor 46 are positioned relative tocontainer 14 by drill positioning assembly 50. Drill positioningassembly 50 includes two hydraulic cylinders 52 and 54. Piston rods 56and 58, which are positioned by cylinders 52 and 54 respectively, arecoupled to motor support 48. Frame 60 secures cylinders 52 and 54 to theexterior of wall 43 of recovery vessel 12. Drill assembly 44, motor 46,motor support 48 and drill positioning assembly 50 are preferablylocated on the exterior of wall 43 of recovery vessel 12 opposite fromcontainer 14 and platform 30. However, these components may be locatedwithin recovery vessel 12.

The specific location of opening 42 may be selected along with thelocation of platform assembly 28 and hold-down assembly 36 to optimizethe performance of drill assembly 44 to penetrate container 44. Theoptimum location may vary depending upon the fluids which will bereleased and the type of container containing the fluids.

Hold-down assembly 36, drill positioning assembly 50, drill motor 46,valve 54 and valve 60 are all capable of being controlled remotely fromremote control panel 72. Remote control panel 72 is typically locatedoutside of trailer 16 at a distance sufficient to provide for safeoperation.

FIG. 2 shows an end view of the fluid recovery system 10 of FIG. 1 alonglines 2--2. In FIG. 2 an opening 74 is shown in platform 30 toaccommodate drill assembly 44. Two rails 76 and 78, which are part ofplatform assembly 28, are disposed along the outer edges of platform 30.Rails 76 and 78 cooperate with hold-down assembly 36 to preventcontainer 14 from rolling on platform 30. Drill assembly 44, motor 46,support 48 and drill positioning assembly 50 are shown disposed inanother possible orientation with respect to recovery vessel 12. Suchorientation does not affect the operation of fluid recovery system 10.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a first pressure transducer 62 is coupled toa poll 105 of drill assembly 44. A valve 64 is coupled between firsttransducer 62 and interior 21 of recovery vessel 12. Inside recoveryvessel 12, drill assembly 44 includes a cylindrical evacuation port 66which is coupled to a pipe 68. Pipe 68 is coupled through wall 43 ofrecovery vessel 12 to a valve 70. A second pressure transducer 71 isalso coupled to pipe 68. Pressure transducers 62 and 71 may be monitoredfrom control panel 72. Valves 64 and 70 may be operated from controlpanel 72. FIG. 2 shows transducers 62 and 71, valves 64 and 70,evacuation port 66 and pipe 68 disposed in another possible orientationwith respect to recovery vessel 12. Again, such orientation does notaffect the operation of fluid recovery system 10.

In operation container 14 is carefully placed upon platform assembly 28through end opening 18. End closure 19 is then closed to seal container14 inside recovery vessel 12. Trailer 16 is sealed as well. Hydrauliccylinder 38 is activated to urge, via hydraulic piston rod 40 andhold-down clamp 41, container 14 toward platform assembly 28. Supportsprings 32 are compressed, allowing platform 30 to be moved towardopening 42 and drill assembly 44. Container 14 is continually urgeddownward until drill assembly 44 makes sealable contact with theexterior of container 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Hold-down assembly 36 thenmaintains container 14 in this position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of drill assembly 44 as installed in FIGS. 1and 2. Referring to FIG. 3, opening 42 in wall 43 of recovery vessel 12is provided for installation and support of drill assembly 44.Cylindrical tubing 88 lines the inside diameter of opening 42. For thisembodiment, cylindrical tubing 88 is welded within opening 42, althoughany other form of attachment may be used, such as threading both theouter surface of cylindrical tubing 88 and the inside diameter ofopening 42.

Drill assembly 44 includes a first housing section 90 and a secondhousing section 92. First adapter 94 is provided to secure first housingsection 90 to end 89 of tubing 88 within recovery vessel 12. Secondadapter 96 is provided to secure second housing section 92 to end 91 oftubing 88 on the exterior of recovery vessel 12. A plurality of matchingthreads are used to attach first and second adapters 94 and 96 withtheir respective first housing section 90 and second housing section 92to ends 89 and 91 of tubing 88. Housing sections 90 and 92, adapters 94and 96 and tubing 88 cooperate with each other to define longitudinalbore 82 extending therethrough.

A first seal assembly 98, having a first packing 99, is placed on theend of first adaptor 94 opposing the end threaded into tubing 88. Asecond seal assembly 100, having a second packing 101, is retainedwithin second housing section 92 by packing nut 103. First and secondseal assemblies 98, 100 may be any suitable assemblies includingcommercially available assemblies. While the type of packing assembly isnot critical, the type selected may affect the performance andreliability of the seal. Second housing section 92 is threaded into theinside surface of second adaptor 96. Thus, longitudinal bore 82 isformed from the interior of adapter 94, through tube 88, to the interiorof adapter 96. Evacuation port 66 allows access to interior 80 ofhousing section 90, while port 105 allows access to longitudinal bore82. First and second packing 99, 101 are preferably of Teflon™construction, but any suitable packing material may be used.

A shaft 102 extends from the interior of first housing section 90,through bearing assembly 106, first seal assembly 98, longitudinal bore82, and second seal assembly 100. Drill bit 84 is coupled to a drill endof shaft 102, while a drive end is coupled to motor shaft 108 by coupler110.

A coupling sleeve 112 having a lip 114 surrounds a lower portion offirst housing section 90. A seal is formed between first housing section90 and coupling sleeve 112 by two O-rings 116 and 118. Alternatively,the seal can be achieved by integrally connecting, for example bywelding, first housing section 90 to an end portion of coupling sleeve112 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A.

The inner portion of lip 114 is disposed between one end of firsthousing section 90 and first seal assembly 98. Coupling member 120engages the outer portion of lip 114 to secure sleeve 112 to firstadapter 94. When coupling member 120 is tightened, the inner portion oflip 114 is forced against first seal assembly 98 to form a seal asdescribed below.

In an alternative configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, lip 114 has noinner portion disposed between the one end of first housing section 90and the first seal assembly 98. Instead, the one end of first housingsection 90 directly engages first seal assembly 98. In thisconfiguration, as container 14 is urged toward drill assembly 44, firsthousing section 90 is forced against first seal assembly 98 to form aseal. This arrangement requires that first housing section 90 be movablerelative to coupling sleeve 112.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a portion of the interior surface of couplingmember 120 has threads which engage threads on the outer surface ofadapter 94. A washer 122, having a center hole 123 (FIG. 3A) sized toreceive drill bit 84, is inserted between first housing section 90 andthe exterior of wall 85 of container 14.

As shown in FIG. 3A, drill bit 84 has a shank 124 for insertion into areceiving cavity 125 within the drill end of shaft 102. Shank 124 issecured within cavity 125 by set screw 126. Set screw 126 is threadedinto set screw receiving hole 128. Set screw receiving hole 128 extendsfrom the cavity to the exterior of shaft 102. These features are alsoshown in other figures, for example FIGS. 4A and 5A, which depict otherfeatures and embodiments of the present invention.

The structure of drill assembly 44 provides a leak detection feature.The logic of this feature is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 12.Referring also to FIGS. 3-5A, after a fluid seal is established betweendrill assembly 44 and the exterior of container 14, an interior portion80 of drill assembly 44 is filled with an inert gas. Transducer 71monitiors the pressure within interior portion 80. If the pressuredetected by transducer 71 decreases, a leak is indicated. This leakcould occur, for example, at the fluid seal formed between first housingsection 90 and wall 85 of container 14 or at first seal assembly 98,between interior portion 80 and a longitudinal bore 82 of drill assembly44. To determine where the leak is, transducer 62 monitors the pressurein a longitudinal bore 82 of drill assembly 44. As shown in FIG. 12,when the pressure detected by transducer 71 decreases and the pressuredetected by transducer 62 increases, a leak between interior portion 80and longitudinal bore 82 is indicated. When the pressure detected bytransducer 71 decreases, but the pressure detected by transducer 62 doesnot increase, a leak between housing section 90 and wall 85 of container14 is indicated.

When such leaks occurs, drill assembly 44 must be disassembled andrepaired. If no leak is detected, motor 46 is activated and rotates adrill bit 84. Drill positioning assembly 50 urges drill bit 84 forwarduntil it makes contact with and penetrates wall 85 of container 14. Anyfluid waste within container 14 may then be withdrawn through thepenetration 86 via interior portion 80, evacuation port 66, pipe 68 andvalve 70. Transducers 62 and 71 may be substituted with other suitablepressure detectors.

By confining the fluid to the relatively small volume of interior 80,rather than the much larger volume of recovery vessel 12, the fluidremoval efficiency is increased. That is, by minimizing the number ofsurfaces to which the fluid is exposed (the inside wall of interior 80versus the interior side of wall 23 and the outside of wall 85), thedecontamination of these surfaces is minimized.

Another embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 9 and 9A, in which the one endof first housing section 90 is shown cooperating with washer 122 to formone or more fluid seal with wall 85 of container 14. In this embodiment,the one end of first housing section 90 is formed to have annularprojection 216.

According to one aspect of this embodiment, an annular extension 213extends longitudinally from annular projection 216. The formation ofprojection 216 and extension 213 results in bearing surface 215 and endsurface 214. Two fluid seals are created between first housing section90 and container 14. A first fluid seal is formed by disposing washer122 between bearing surface 215 of first housing section 90 and wall 85of container 14. A second fluid seal is formed by disposing an O-ring207 between end surface 214 of extension 213 and wall 85 of container14. Preferably, the structure of the one end of first housing section 90is such that O-ring 207 is positioned radially outward from washer 122as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A. In this arrangement, the fluid seal formedby washer 122 functions as a primary fluid seal and the fluid sealformed by O-ring 207 functions as a secondary, or backup, fluid seal. Itwill be appreciated however, that the one end of first housing section90 may be formed differently such that the seal incorporating O-ring 207is positioned radially inward from the seal incorporating washer 122.Further, although only one O-ring and one washer are shown in FIGS. 9and 9A, multiple O-rings and/or washers may be used to add further fluidseals or to otherwise improve the existing fluid seals.

According to another aspect of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and10A, the one end of first housing section 90 is formed to have annularprojection 216 as described above. One or more raised annular surfacesextend longitudinally from end surface 217 to engage washer 122. FIGS.10 and 10A shown two raised annular surfaces 208, 209, but any number ofsuch raised annular surfaces may be incorporated into this aspect of theinvention. A fluid seal is formed between washer 122 and wall 85 ofcontainer 14. Additional fluid seals are formed at the respective pointsof contact between annular surfaces 208, 209 and washer 122.

In operation, coupling member 120 is tightened so that seal assembly 98forms a first fluid barrier (by forcing packing 99 to form a seal arounda first portion of shaft 102) between interior 80 of housing section 90and longitudinal bore 82. Packing nut 103 is tightened so that sealassembly 100 forms a second fluid barrier (by forcing packing 101 toform a seal around a second portion of shaft 102) between longitudinalbore 82 and the outside environment. Hold-down assembly 36 is activatedin response to a first signal from remote control panel 72. Container 14is forced against washer 122 and/or O-ring 207 (FIGS. 9, 9A). Washer122, in turn, is forced against first housing section 90 and/or bearingsurface 215 (FIGS. 10, 10A) or raised annular surfaces 208, 209 (FIGS.10, 10A) to form the fluid seal(s) between first housing section 90 andwall 85 of container 14.

In some embodiments, washer 122 is made of a material, such as lead,which allows washer 122 to conform to the contour of wall 85. In otherembodiments, washer 122 is pre-formed to the contour of wall 85. Theforce exerted upon housing section 90 by container 14 aids in formingthe first fluid barrier by further compressing packing 99.

Drill motor 46, in response to a second signal from panel 72, rotatesshaft 102. Bearing assembly 106 stabilizes shaft 102 as it rotates.Although bearing assembly 106 is not depicted in certain figures, forexample FIGS. 4-5A, bearing assembly 106 may be incorporated into theembodiments shown therein. Drill positioning assembly 50 is activated inresponse to a third signal from panel 72. Drill bit 84 is urged towardcontainer 14, as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, bydrill positioning assembly 50 until it comes in contact with wall 85.Drill bit 84 is then further urged toward container 14 until wail 85 ispenetrated to form penetration 86. Typically, a change in pressurewithin pipe 68 indicates the formation of penetration 86. An indicationof the pressure within pipe 68 may be obtained by remotely monitoringsecond transducer 71 with control panel 72. Drill positioning assembly50, in response to a fourth signal from panel 72, retracts drill bit 84from container 14. The fluid within container 14 can be drained orpumped out of container 14 via penetration 86, evacuation port 66, pipe68 and valve 70.

The relatively small volume of interior 80 aids in preventing ignitionof wall 85 of container 14 by minimizing the time during which the fluidescapes through penetration 86. As the fluid escapes, the frictionbetween the fluid and the portion of wall 85 near penetration 86generates heat. The longer the escape time, the higher the temperatureof the portion of wall 85 surrounding penetration 86 becomes. Thetemperature may become high enough to ignite wall 85. The escape time isproportional to the volume into which the fluid escapes. That is, fluid,especially in a gas phase, will escape until the pressure within theescape volume reaches equilibrium with the pressure inside container 14.The smaller the volume, the more quickly such equilibrium is reached,and the lower the mount of heating which occurs. The lower the amount ofheating, the less of a chance of ignition.

A further measure which can be taken to prevent fluid ignition is toevacuate interior 80 of air via port 66 before penetration.Additionally, after evacuation is performed, interior 80 may bepressurized with an inert gas via port 66. The pressure within interior80 is typically raised to a point above the anticipated pressure of thecontents of container 14. When penetration occurs, the more highlypressurized inert gas flows through penetration 86 into container 14.Thus, if any heating occurs, it will be to the inert gas which will notignite. If the pressure within interior 80 is less than that of thefluid inside container 14, the inert gas dilutes the escaping fluid,thus reducing the probability of ignition.

Interior 80 may be pressurized with a passivation gas when the fluid isa strong oxidizer, such as certain fluorinated compounds. Typically, thepassivation gas consists of approximately 20% fluorine and 80% nitrogen.The passivation gas causes a thin oxidation layer to be formed on thesurfaces which are exposed to the fluid once penetration of wall 85occurs. Such surfaces include the inner surfaces of first housingsection 90, port 66 and pipe 68, as well as the outer surface of drillbit 84. The thin oxidation layer prevents the strong oxidizer withincontainer 14 from reacting with the above mentioned surfaces.

Decontamination of a fluid, such as a poison, may sometimes benecessary. Such decontamination is accomplished by injecting adecontaminate into container 14 via pipe 68, port 66, interior 80 andpenetration 86.

Eradication of living organisms within the fluid may be necessary. Sucheradication is accomplished by injecting a killing agent into container14 via pipe 68, port 66, interior 80 and penetration 86.

The pressure within longitudinal bore 82 may be monitored by firstpressure transducer 62. If the pressure within longitudinal bore 82increases when interior 80 is filled with an inert gas or whenpenetration into container 14 occurs, a leak from interior 80 into bore82, i.e., a failure of the first fluid barrier, is indicated. In theevent such a leak occurs, second seal assembly 100 prevents any fluidfrom leaking into the environment to reestablish the first fluidbarrier, first seal assembly 98 may be replaced. Alternatively, couplingmember 120 may be tightened to further compress packing 101 andreestablish the first fluid barrier. Fluid which does leak intolongitudinal bore 82 is contained by second seal assembly 100 and may beredirected to interior 21 of recovery vessel 12 by opening valve 64. Theleaking fluid is thereby isolated from the external environment.

In another embodiment of the drill assembly of the present invention,second housing section 92, second seal assembly 100, first transducer 62and valve 64 are not installed. The operation of drill assembly 44remains the same as outlined above. However, if first seal assembly 98fails to maintain the first fluid barrier, the fluid from container 14may leak directly into the interior of trailer 16, as opposed to beingcontained by second seal assembly 100. Sealed trailer 16, however,isolates the leaking fluid from the external environment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6 and7, a plurality of drill assemblies may be incorporated to penetrate wall85 and remove the fluid from container 14. Any number of drillassemblies may be used and their positioning relative to container 14and recovery vessel 12 may be varied. FIG. 6 depicts a first drillassembly 44 positioned generally below container 14. A second drillassembly 44a is positioned above container 14 within access opening 20.Second drill assembly 44a is similar to first drill assembly 44 and hasmany of the same components including first and second housing sections90a and 92a, a coupling assembly 88a, which joins first and secondhousing sections 90a and 92a and partially defines a longitudinal bore,and first and second seal assemblies. Drill bit 84a is disposed withinthe longitudinal bore of second drill assembly 44a. Drill bit 84a ispreferably of sufficient length so that in operation it may extend atleast to a longitudinal centerline of container 14. In this respect,drill bit 84a would be able to penetrate not only container 14, but alsoany container possibly located within container 14. Drill bit 84a may beof sufficient length to penetrate through opposite sides of wall 85 ofcontainer 14. Although second drill assembly 44a is shown with first andsecond housing sections, it may be desirable, as described above tolimit second drill assembly 44a to only one housing section.

A hold-down assembly 36a, similar to the hold-down assembly describedabove, has a pair of hydraulic cylinders 38a, a pair of hydraulic pistonrods 40a, a hold-down clamp 41a, and a support member (not shown) forsecuring hydraulic cylinders 38a to the interior surface of wall 43 ofrecovery vessel 12. The operation of hold-down assembly 36a isessentially as described above for hold-down assembly 36 depicted inFIGS 1 and 2. Second drill assembly 44a is driven by a drill motor 46awhich is secured to motor support 48a.

Second drill assembly 44a and drill motor 46a are positioned relative tocontainer 14 by drill positioning assembly 50a. Drill positioningassembly 50a includes two hydraulic cylinders 52a and 54a, which arerespectively connected at one end thereof to hold-down clamp 41a. Pistonrods 56a and 58a, which are positioned by cylinders 52a and 54arespectively, are coupled to motor support 48a.

First housing section 90a movably extends through hold-down clamp 41a tocontact wall 85 of container 14. In operation, piston rods 40a areactivated to urge hold-down clamp 41a toward container 14. As firsthousing section 90a makes contact with wall 85 of container 14, a spring212, disposed about first housing section 90a engages a lower surface ofhold-down clamp 41a and an end portion of first housing section 90a tobias first housing section 90a against wall 85 to create a fluid sealtherebetween. The features described above relating to seals betweenhousing section 90 and wall 85 may be employed in forming the fluid sealbetween housing section 90a and wall 85.

After sealable contact is made, hydraulic pistons 56a and 58a areactivated to urge drill bit 84a toward container 14 to penetratecontainer 14. A first port 66a is provided on first housing section 90ato allow removal of the fluid from container 14. A first conduit 68a isattached to first port 66a to direct the fluid to the exterior ofrecovery vessel 12 and to collection vessel 210. The portion of firstconduit 68a within interior 21 of recovery vessel 12 is preferablyflexible, for example flexible hosing. A transducer 71a and a valve 70aare positioned along first conduit 68a. Transducer 71a and valve 70aoperate similar to transducer 71 and valve 70 described above. A secondport 105a extends from second housing section 92a to place the interiorof second housing section 92a in fluid communication with interior 21 ofrecovery vessel 12. If a leak occurs in the first seal assembly, thefluid may then escape into interior 21 and not the outside environment.

In an alternative arrangement, as shown in FIG. 8, a second conduit 68bmay be attached to second port 105a. Second conduit 68b may also beconnected to first conduit 68a to place the respective interiors offirst and second conduits 68a and 68b in fluid communication. In thisarrangement, transducer 71a and valve 70 are positioned along secondconduit 68b between second housing section 92a and first conduit 68a. Ifa leak occurs in the first seal assembly, transducer 71a will detect theleak and fluid in the interior of second housing portion 92a can bedirected through second port 105a, conduit 68b, valve 70a and conduit68a.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, hydraulic cylinders 38b andhydraulic piston rods 40b are provided similar to hydraulic cylinders38a and hydraulic piston rods 40a of FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment,however, hold-down clamp 41a is not provided and rods 40b are coupled tosecond drill assembly 44a by braces 228.

A first motor 46a is mounted on drill motor support 219, which ismovable relative to container 14. First motor 46a turns shaft 102a anddrill bit 84a, which is coupled to shaft 102a. Shaft 102a is preferablysupported by bearing 220. A second motor 221 is coupled to a pluralityof gears 222, 223, and 224. Gears 223, 224 are coupled to first andsecond threaded rods 225 and 226, respectively. Motor 221 turns gear222, which turns gears 223, 224. First and second threaded rods 225, 226are mounted on frame 227 and are operatively coupled to support 219 suchthat when first and second threaded rods 225, 226 are turned, support219 travels along rods 225, 226. Movement of support 219 is limited bypillow block bearings 218.

In operation, once sealable contact has been made between first housingsection 90a and wall 85 of container 14, first motor 46a is activated toturn shaft 102a and drill bit 84a. Second motor 221 is also activated toturn gears 222, 223, and 224. The gears operate to turn threaded rods225, 226, thereby moving support 219 shaft 102a and drill bit 84a towardcontainer 14. Threaded rods 225, 226 may of course be turned theopposite direction to move support 219 away from container 14, therebywithdrawing drill bit 84a from container 14.

In this embodiment, it is preferable that the portions of first andsecond conduits 68a and 68b, which are located within interior 21 ofrecovery vessel 12, are flexible. This will allow movement of support219 and drill assembly 44a without rupturing conduits 68a and 68b orcausing these conduits to become damaged, tangled or otherwiseinoperable.

In certain circumstances, for example when the fluid in container 14 ishighly viscous, it may be necessary to rinse the interior of container14 to fully evacuate the viscous fluid therefrom. In another embodiment,the second drill assembly of FIGS. 6-8 is modified, as shown in FIG. 11,to provide a flushing feature during the processing of container 14. Onepossible configuration of fluid recovery system 10 according to thisembodiment may incorporate first and second drill assemblies positionedbelow and above container 14 as described in connection with FIGS. 6-8.The first drill assembly is operable as described above to provide aconduit for withdrawal of the fluid from container 14 after container 14is penetrated.

The second drill assembly 44a, preferably positioned above container 14,is modified in accordance with FIG. 11 to permit introduction of aflushing fluid from a remote source (not shown) into container 14through second drill assembly 44a. Second drill assembly 44a isidentical to first drill assembly 44 in many respects. Nevertheless,shaft 236 has an interior space 237 extending at least partly along thelength of shaft 236. Connector 233 connects shaft 236 to drill bit 231.A plurality of orifices 238 are provided in shaft 236 to place interiorspace 237 in communication with the exterior of shaft 236.

In operation, container 14 is penetrated by first and second drillassemblies 44 and 44a. Fluid is thereby permitted to exit container 14via first drill assembly 44 as described above. Fluid in a gaseous statemay be permitted to exit second drill assembly 44a. Shaft 236 should beconfigured such that when second drill assembly 44a penetrates container14, orifices 238 are positioned within container 14. To provide theflushing feature of this embodiment, an inert gas by be introduced intocontainer 14 through shaft 236 to facilitate the removal of the fluidwithin container 14.

A liquid reagent, reactant, or water, heated water, steam or otherflushing fluid may be injected through shaft 236 into container 14 tofacilitate the removal of the fluid within container 14. Injection ofthe flushing fluid under pressure may add a mechanical jetting action tothe flushing feature. Additionally, the flushing fluid may be injectedinto container 14 directionally. The flushing fluid and/or the outersurface of recovery vessel 12 may be heated to facilitate removal, forexample by increasing the volatilization of the fluid within container14.

According to an aspect of this embodiment, it may be desirable to flushinterior 21 of recovery vessel 12. This may be accomplished bywithdrawing second drill assembly 44a sufficiently to expose orifices238 to interior 21. Fluids may then be removed through a suitable portformed in wall 43 of recovery vessel 12.

The contaminated fluids from the drill assembly or assemblies, therecovery vessel, or the container(s) within the vessel may be directedto any suitable processing system.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid recovery system for recovering fluid froma container having a wall, the fluid recovery system comprising:arecovery vessel, having a vessel interior, for receiving said containerthrough an end opening; an end closure for forming a fluid tight sealbetween said vessel interior and an external environment; a moveableplatform assembly, disposed within said vessel, for supporting saidcontainer; a drill assembly for penetrating the wall of the container,said drill assembly enclosed within said recovery vessel andcomprising:a tube for lining a first opening into said recovery vessel,a housing having an interior and a port for allowing removal of thefluid from the container via the interior of said housing, a couplingassembly for coupling said housing to a first end of said tube and forpartially defining a longitudinal bore, a shaft rotatably disposedwithin said longitudinal bore, a drill bit engaged to one end of saidshaft for penetrating, through the interior of said housing interior,the wall of the container, a motor engaged to the other end of saidshaft for rotating said shaft, and a seal assembly for forming a fluidbarrier between the interior of said housing and said longitudinal bore;a hold-down assembly for urging the container and said platform assemblytoward said drill assembly; a first pressure detector in communicationwith said longitudinal bore for measuring a first pressure in saidlongitudinal bore; and a second pressure detector in communication withthe interior of said housing for measuring a second pressure within theinterior of said housing, wherein when the second pressure decreases, aleak from the interior of said housing is indicated, and wherein whenthe second pressure decreases and the first pressure increases, a leakin said seal assembly is indicated.
 2. A fluid recovery system forrecovering fluid from a container having a wall, the fluid recoverysystem comprising:a recovery vessel, having a vessel interior, forreceiving said container through an end opening; an end closure forforming a fluid tight seal between said vessel interior and an externalenvironment; a moveable platform assembly, disposed within said vessel,for supporting said container; a first drill assembly for penetratingthe wall of the container; a second drill assembly for penetrating thewall of the container, said second drill assembly at least partiallydefining a longitudinal bore and comprising:a housing having an interiorand a port for allowing removal of the fluid from the container via theinterior of said housing; a shaft rotatably disposed within saidlongitudinal bore; a drill bit engaged to one end of said shaft forpenetrating the wall of the container; a motor engaged to the other endof said shaft for rotating said shaft; and a seal assembly for forming afluid barrier between the interior of said housing and said longitudinalbore; a hold-down assembly for urging the container and said platformassembly toward said first drill assembly; biasing means engaging saidhold-down assembly and said second drill assembly for biasing saidhousing against the wall of the container to form a fluid sealtherebetween; a first pressure detector in communication with saidlongitudinal bore for measuring a first pressure in said longitudinalbore; and a second pressure detector in communication with the interiorof said housing for measuring a second pressure within the interior ofsaid housing, wherein when the second pressure decreases, a leak fromthe interior of said housing is indicated, and wherein when the secondpressure decreases and the first pressure increases, a leak in said sealassembly is indicated.
 3. A fluid recovery system for recovering fluidfrom a container having a wall, the fluid recovery system comprising:arecovery vessel, having a vessel interior, for receiving said containerthrough an end opening; an end closure for forming a fluid tight sealbetween said vessel interior and an external environment; a moveableplatform assembly, disposed within said vessel, for supporting saidcontainer; a first drill assembly for penetrating the wall of thecontainer; a second drill assembly for penetrating the wall of thecontainer, said second drill assembly at least partially defining alongitudinal bore and comprising:a housing having an interior and a portfor allowing removal of the fluid from the container via the interior ofsaid housing; a shaft rotatably disposed within said longitudinal bore;a drill bit engaged to one end of said shaft for penetrating the wall ofthe container; a first motor engaged to the other end of said shaft forrotating said shaft; and a seal assembly for forming a fluid barrierbetween the interior of said housing and said longitudinal bore; biasingmeans for biasing said housing against the wall of the container to forma fluid seal therebetween and for urging the container and said platformassembly toward said first drill assembly; a first pressure detector incommunication with said longitudinal bore for measuring a first pressurein said longitudinal bore; and a second pressure detector incommunication with the interior of said housing for measuring a secondpressure within the interior of said housing, wherein when the secondpressure decreases, a leak from the interior of said housing isindicated, and wherein when the second pressure decreases and the firstpressure increases, a leak in said seal assembly is indicated.
 4. Afluid recovery system for recovering fluid from a container having awall, the fluid recovery system comprising:a recovery vessel, having avessel interior, for receiving said container through an end opening; anend closure for forming a fluid tight seal between said vessel interiorand an external environment; a moveable platform assembly, disposedwithin said vessel, for supporting said container; and a plurality ofdrill assemblies for penetrating the wall of the container, each of saidplurality of drill assemblies at least partially defining a longitudinalbore and comprising:a housing having an interior and a port for allowingremoval of the fluid from the container via the interior of saidhousing; a shaft rotatably disposed within said longitudinal bore; adrill bit engaged to one end of said shaft for penetrating the wall ofthe container; a motor engaged to the other end of said shaft forrotating said shaft; and a seal assembly for forming a fluid barrierbetween the interior of said housing and said longitudinal bore; and afirst pressure detector in communication with said longitudinal bore formeasuring a first pressure in said longitudinal bore; and a secondpressure detector in communication with the interior of said housing formeasuring a second pressure within the interior of said housing, whereinwhen the second pressure decreases, a leak from the interior of saidhousing is indicated, and wherein when the second pressure decreases andthe first pressure increases, a leak in said seal assembly is indicated.5. A fluid recovery system for recovering fluid from a container havinga wall, the fluid recovery system comprising:a recovery vessel, having avessel interior, for receiving said container through an end opening; anend closure for forming a fluid tight seal between said vessel interiorand an external environment; a moveable platform assembly, disposedwithin said vessel, for supporting said container; a first drillassembly for penetrating a lower wall of the container, said first drillassembly having a first port for removal of the fluid from thecontainer; and a second drill assembly for penetrating an upper wall ofthe container, said second drill assembly at least partially defining alongitudinal bore and comprising: a housing having an interior and asecond port for allowing removal of the fluid from the container via theinterior of said housing;a shaft rotatably disposed within saidlongitudinal bore, said shaft having an interior in fluid communicationwith a flushing fluid source; a drill bit engaged to one end of saidshaft for penetrating the wall of the container, said drill bit havingan interior in fluid communication with the interior of said shaft, saiddrill bit having at least one aperture through which flushing fluid maybe dispersed; a first motor engaged to the other end of said shaft forurging said drill bit toward the container; and a seal assembly forforming a fluid barrier between the interior of said housing and saidlongitudinal bore; biasing means for biasing said housing against thewall of the container to form a fluid seal therebetween; and a firstpressure detector in communication with said longitudinal bore formeasuring a first pressure in said longitudinal bore; and a secondpressure detector in communication with the interior of said housing formeasuring a second pressure within the interior of said housing, whereinwhen the second pressure decreases, a leak from the interior of saidhousing is indicated, and wherein when the second pressure decreases andthe first pressure increases, a leak in said seal assembly is indicated.